In a span of more than 35 years, I have worked as an employee, manager, recruiter, and lead engineer both domestically and internationally. I started with nothing, nobody financed my success, I put myself through college. I have reinvented myself as technology and markets have changed and I am currently on my 4th career earning above average wages. That's a complete reinvention of myself every 7 to 10 years, leveraging and building upon what I have done in the past. During this time I have come to understand a number things that I believe are important, things I wish someone had told me. If I have caught your attention, please read on.

First, forget about looking for a job, as that signals that all you are looking for is a paycheck. Dead end jobs come with paychecks. A better approach is to ask yourself what are the unique skills, experience, and judgement that I bring to the marketplace and who is looking for those attributes. How does this intersect with my interests? A common saying goes something like this: do something you love and you will never work a day in your life. The best advice I can provide is to ask yourself, how can I be of service doing what I am passionate about?

For those who need to develop additional skills, colleges and trade schools are obvious choices and will help. I have attended both. Be sure to understand the market for those skills before investing your time and money. The school is there to sell you something, they are not necessarily interested in how much you can earn once you graduate. If you need to discover your passion a high quality liberal arts college is a good bet. In addition to the obvious choices mentioned above, consider volunteering full or part time. There are hundreds of local organizations that are looking for all kinds of skills. I have built skills in leadership, management, and building organizations when volunteering in the local community. As these organizations are under served, it's incredible how quickly one can move into a lead role within them. Additionally, it's a great opportunity to meet others who can help you in your path, and who can provide referrals, recommendations, and testimonials. This is truly win - win.

Next, recognize that times have changed. Technology and globalization are two forces that don't seem to be subsiding any time soon. These forces create winners and losers - these forces create opportunities. However, these opportunities change rapidly and companies are constantly seeking the skills that are needed right now. You see, many companies are no better at predicting disruptive forces than any of us. They are reacting to changes in a rapidly evolving business ecosystem, just as we are. A few market leaders have the ambition, vision, and capital needed to drive that disruption, the rest react.

Each of us must embrace the fact that trickle down economics is nonsense. Nobody is interested in "giving" anyone a job. One earns compensation in the market based on supply and demand. When there is more demand than a company can fulfill, a company adds workers to meet that demand and earns a profit margin on that transaction. Companies add workers, or buy products and services for other reasons a well. One reason is that there is a problem that needs to be solved in order to help increase profits. Another reason is that there is a risk that needs to be avoided in order to protect profits. Once stated, it seems like this is pretty simple and obvious stuff. However, it's not so simple to recognize these realities when first starting out, when asking oneself how do I best engage? Explaining how you can help in one of these common scenarios is sure to get you noticed.

It astonishes me how much it costs to hire and train an employee. I have seen estimates of $10,000 to over $40,000, and that's not for executive level compensation. That's simply for a job that offers middle class wages, and a candidate that comes in with good skills. Larger companies have higher costs. Increasingly companies are seeking to reduce risk by hiring skilled candidates. Interested in working with a company? Then your job is to demonstrate why you are a good bet. It's pretty sobering to look in the mirror and ask: would I spend that amount of money betting on who I see in front of me? Frankly, an unprepared candidate who cannot demonstrate knowledge of the company, problems that need to be tackled, industry trends, and how he or she can add value don't make the cut.

Many companies are looking for the smart, motivated, and disciplined workers that are looking for more than just a paycheck. These companies are looking for people who can drive innovation. Other companies are looking for followers, people who will not challenge the system, and will simply handle day to day activities following a defined process. Know what you want and aligning yourself accordingly.

Everyone I meet does not like me, agree with me, want to marry me, or want to employ me. This is a simple fact of life. Likewise I do not like everyone I meet, agree with them, want to marry them, or want to employ them. That's OK too.

A number of years ago I had been working at a company for over 4 years, had good reviews, salary increases, and thought things were generally going pretty well. Suddenly I found myself in a third team. Six months later I was being formally reprimanded with threats of termination. I left that job, a bit shaken, but with some lessons learned and a bit more resolve.

Subsequently, I went onto two additional companies that have been much more challenging, and rewarding. I have gained promotions and recognition at them, traveled internationally, attended trade shows and conferences, and generally have had a much more positive experience. After reflecting back on this I offered the following advice to a friend who was going through a similar experience: Some people like apples, some people like oranges. It does not diminish the orange if someone prefers an apple. If you are the orange, go find the people who cherish the orange. Don't try to pretend you are an apple. In short, know yourself, know your interests and desires, interview the company for best fit. If you don't fit or no longer fit, do both parties a favor, look elsewhere.

I have no military experience, other than my father served in the Marine Corps. Frankly, he was not the father anyone should be subjected to. I have come to understand he suffered from PTSD, never got help, was an alcoholic with a hair pin temper, and he was abusive. He approached his family like the drill sergeant he was in the military. Naturally this did not work.

So why do I mention this when I am writing to serve you? I write this because it's relevant to you in two ways. As you transition to civilian life is up to you to transition your skills and approaches to fit the situation. I believe it's called situational awareness in military jargon.
Finally, it's a fact that unemployment amongst returning military is much higher than average. Translated, that means people in companies manage risk; and companies have reason to believe that hiring ex military is high risk. Like it or not, that's the big elephant in the room that nobody will mention. Your job is to tactfully address that question.

When seeking to transition to civilian organizations, it will be very helpful to you to demonstrate why you are a good bet, why you are the best, the most qualified, and the most logical choice. Military or not, this is what recruiters are looking for.

Thank you for your service to our country. I hope that I have been of some service to you in return.